Good summary of a “tech lead” by James McGovern:
http://duckdown.blogspot.com/2009/06/enterprise-architecture-so-exactly-what.html
If you are in this role and want to live up to your title, then you need the following skills:
- Accountable – The buck stops here, someone who can shoulder the responsibility without pointing fingers at others.
- Adaptable – Life changes fast, if can’t change with the times, you’ll be left behind.
- Approachable – their team can ask them questions and talk to them.
- Attentive – they actually listen to their team and understand them.
- Aware – they’re aware of what is going on around them instead of sticking their head in the sand.
- Can type – No hen peck typists need apply in this industry.
- Charismatic – People have got to want to listen to you.
- Communicative – You’ve got to want to communicate with your team.
- Competent – You’ve gotta know your stuff.
- Confident – If you’re not confident in yourself, how is anyone else going to be?
- Decisive – can make decisions themselves and be accountable for them.
- Driven – You’ve gotta see the goal and go right after it.
- Focused – You’ve gotta have the staying power to keep going and reach the goal.
- Inspirational – this is the most important one for me! If you can’t inspire people, what are you doing?
- Meticulous – The truth is in the details.
- Nurturing – The test of a good teacher is when their students surpass them.
- Resourceful – You’ve gotta be able to find the answers to the things you don’t know.
- Technically minded – In this industry at least.
- Understanding – If your team don’t think you understand them, they won’t bother trying to understand you.
As a leader, it’s your delegates that help build your success. Treat them like gold, and they will do the same for you. One non-programmer that can inspire 10 “average” programmers to greatness is worth more than one great programmer who can’t inspire their team to do more than meet their job requirements…
Filed under: Management & Leadership
